Sen. Ruderman and Espero meet with Roger Christie

[Rob Tucker]

Aloha,

Please find attached the following Media Release and related documents

Mahalo,
Michael Greenough

Legislative Aide
Office of Senator Russell Ruderman
Senatorial District 2 - Puna-Ka'u
Phone: (808) 586-6890
Fax: (808) 586-6899

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Office of Senator Russell Ruderman
Senate District 2 Puna – Ka’u
Wednesday, April 3rd, 2013

Media Contact: Michael Greenough, Legislative Aide
(808) 586-6890, ruderman1@capitol.hawaii.gov
Website: http://russellruderman.com






SENATOR RUSSELL RUDERMAN AND SENATOR WILL ESPERO MEET
WITH DETAINEE ROGER CHRISTIE AT THE FEDERAL DETENTION CENTER

HONOLULU – At 8:00am today, Senator Russell Ruderman, joined by Senator Will Espero, met with federal detainee Roger Christie at the Federal Detention Center (FDC) in Honolulu to discuss his incarceration, health, and rights as a United States citizen under the United States Constitution. Mr. Christie has been held now for almost three years without a bail hearing or a trial.

After weeks of requests and assurances, the U.S. Attorney’s Office granted permission for Senator Ruderman, representing Christie’s district, and Senator Espero, Chair of the Senate Committee on Public Safety, Intergovernmental, and Military Affairs, to visit Mr. Christie at the FDC in Honolulu with restrictions, including that no media shall be present. Mr. Christie has not been allowed to meet with media despite requests from National Geographic, Newsweek and Honolulu Civil Beat among many others.

In June of 2010, Mr. Christie, along with twelve co-defendants, was charged with manufacture, possession with intent to sell marijuana. The other defendants have been released on bail pending trial. Prior to the detention hearing, Mr. Christie was interviewed by the Office of Pretrial Services and on July 13, 2010, Pretrial Services issued a report that recommended that Mr. Christie be released on an unsecured bond of $50,000.

In the almost three years since that recommendation, all efforts to have Mr. Christie released pending trial or have access to a speedy trial have been denied. Visitations have been severely limited by the FDC including those by his wife Share Christie, who has not been allowed to see her husband for almost a year. In recent weeks, additional charges have been added, and his trial postponed once again.

While the charges against Mr. Christie are federal in nature, holding a defendant without bail, while denying his/her constitutional right to a speedy trial is virtually unheard of in our state. Even those accused of serious crimes such as large-scale distribution of ice, violent criminals, rapists, and murderers are routinely released on bail pending trial.

To urge President Obama and the Federal Government to release Mr. Christie pending a hearing, Senator Ruderman authored two measures - Senate Concurrent Resolution 75 and Senate Resolution 42 – both of these measures have been passed by the Senate Committee on Public Safety, Intergovernmental, and Military Affairs.

Mr. Christie explained that he is content with the position he is in because he feels he is doing the right thing and looks forward to proving his innocence in a court of law, saying, “Dignity trumps longevity.”

Senator Ruderman and Senator Espero expressed their concern for Mr. Christie, the violation of his Constitutional rights, and the implications for all persons facing non-violent federal charges and deemed dangerous by the federal judicial system, such has been the case for Mr. Christie since July 2010.

Senator Ruderman said, “I have known Roger for over 25 years. He is one of the most peaceful persons I know. To anyone who knows him, the claim that he is a danger to the community is absurd.”

Senator Espero commented. “This visit was very enlightening. I still feel that Mr. Christie should be released pending a trial.”
Senator Ruderman and Senator Espero would like to graciously thank FDC Warden David Shinn, Asst. Warden Tom Blumm, Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Kawahara, and Public Defender Thomas Otake, for their assistance and for the opportunity to meet with Roger Christie.

Senator Russell Ruderman
Senate District 2
Hawaii State Capitol
Room 217
phone: 808-586-6890
fax: 808-586-6899
senruderman@capitol.hawaii.gov
Senator Will Espero
Senate District 19
Hawaii State Capitol
Room 231
phone: 808-586-6360
fax: 808-586-6361
senespero@capitol.hawaii.gov

[Rob Tucker]

I am pleased that Senators Ruderman and Espero are showing interest in and taking some action on Roger Christie's case.

Three years without a bail hearing is just plain wrong.

[Guest]

Do people even care about the Bill of Rights anymore?

[Green]

It's interesting to me that they can hold Christie with no bail, but leaders of our country that many around the world now consider war criminals not only are free ,but collect fat government pensions.

[Adam-I-Am]

It's NOT a wacko statement to say that "the United States of America" has become a "semi-police state."

What's been done to Roger Christie should be proof enough.

But, look at what is happening.

The department of homeland security (with hundreds of PRIVATE COMPANIES getting not rich but SUPER RICH) has bought 2,700 armored vehicles to PROTECT us.

Here is a photo of one —

http://unifiedserenity.files.wordpress.c....jpg?w=593

This kind of protection I DON'T NEED. This "protection" looks more like something that's going to be used against Americans, in fact.

What is going on?

9/11, whatever one's opinion is about it, has become just a big MONEY MAKING opportunity.

The prison system is maybe now half "privatized" and these corporations have their influence in government and they are lobbying for more prisoners. It's all getting insane.

The liberals, conservatives, libertarians, have got to stop fighting each other and work together to stop the madness NOW. But, what are the chances of that?

[Rob Tucker]

This topic is not an invitation for rants on national policy. Please keep it Hawaii somehow.


Assume the best and ask questions.

Punaweb moderator

[Adam-I-Am]

quote:

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Originally posted by Rob Tucker

This topic is not an invitation for rants on national policy. Please keep it Hawaii somehow.


Assume the best and ask questions.

Punaweb moderator

---

I apologize if this was "out of place here."

But ... Roger Christie's incarceration for three years without bail and without a speedy trial, on the big Island, should wake Big Islanders up to the fact that things are not as 'free' as they should be on the Big Island. And that any citizen of Puna could find him or herself incarcerated in the same manner. I would hope that free speech is not suppressed on important message boards that are the best places for people to discuss what's happening.

[PaulW]

"any citizen of Puna could find him or herself incarcerated"

Only if they break the law. That's an important distinction. Nevertheless, Christie should've been out on bail long ago.

Nobody is suppressing free speech here.

[Obie]

Roger Christie was released after a previous bust and went right back to dealing !!That's why he unable to be released on bail.
The length of time it has taken for this to get to trial is because he keeps changing lawyers !

It's a crusade !!!

http://the-last-marijuana-trial.com/

[Guest]

Roger is being held and denied bail for one reason:

A Judge has determined that he is a "Danger to the Community."

Imagine if we did the same thing to each and every drunk driver arrested here on this island!